Smut fungi of Australia

Smut Fungi of Australia is an interactive key for the 317 known species of plant-pathogenic smut fungi (Ustilaginomycetes) from Australia. Most grasses, including the economically important cereals, are hosts of smut fungi. Many smut fungi are also found on grasses in rangeland zones, an area of national priority.

With Smut Fungi of Australia, you’re able to:

  • use the keys to quickly and accurately identify any of the species of smut fungi found in Australia
  • access comprehensive information for each of the species, including descriptions, distribution maps, line drawings, scanned specimens, light micrographs and scanning electron micrographs
  • browse information by species and generic name and also view supplementary information, including a glossary and list of references.

The smut fungi are not a discrete taxonomic group, the term having been used traditionally for basidiomycetous plant parasites that produce teliospores (Vánky, 2002). The smut fungi are accommodated in 2 fungal subphyla and 4 classes:

  • the Ustilaginomycotina (classes Entorrhizomycetes, Exobasidiomycetes, Ustilaginomycetes)
  • the Pucciniomycotina (class Microbotryomycetes)(Vánky, 2011).

The smut fungi are represented throughout the world by about 1,650 species (Vánky, 2011) in approximately 100 genera (Vánky, 2002). There are about 3,500 synonyms to the species and about 50 to the genera, including 10 anamorphic genera. The number of host plant species exceeds 4,000 (Vánky, 2002).

In Australia, the smut fungi currently include 317 species in 51 genera. About half of the species and 8 of the genera are endemic. These 8 genera are:

  • Aizoago
  • Anomalomyces
  • Centrolepidosporium
  • Eriocortex
  • Farysporium
  • Fulvisporium
  • Pseudotracya
  • Websdanea.

A further 5 genera are endemic to the Australasian region:

  • Cintractiella
  • Heterotolyposporium
  • Restiosporium
  • Shivasia
  • Tubisorus.

The 3 largest genera account for more than half the Australian species:

  • Sporisorium,
  • Tilletia
  • Ustilago

Although about 500 plant species are known to be infected by smut fungi in Australia, more than 80% of smut species occur on grasses (Poaceae) or sedges (Cyperaceae).

How to cite this key

Shivas RG, Beasley DR, McTaggart AR (2014). Online identification guides for Australian smut fungi (Ustilaginomycotina) and rust fungi (Pucciniales). IMA Fungus 5: 195–202.

Last updated: 20 Sep 2021